The Changing Face of War. Introduction “If you want peace, understand war” Basil Lindell Hart...

The Changing Face of War

Introduction

What is War?

Consistent Character of War• Fundamental nature of war is unchangeable– Character and form my change with time

• Change in Technology– Pre-industrial to industrial weapons– Industrial weapons to computer/microchip based weapons– Use of globalization technologies – Becoming easily available

• Change in Strategy– Military targets only to civilian targets

• Change in Threat – State warfare to war on terror

• Birth of Global Media – Localized conflict to Global conflict

– Nature of war could not • Brutal from of politics • Social constructed by large-group behavior

– Influenced by political and cultural environments

Defining War • Difficult to define– Post-Modernity of Warfare • Scope and scale of war is now very large, attempts to

define lead to problems – Most definitions contradict one other – Most are very general or vague – Most definitions would make violent crime or gang activity

warfare

• Why is this a problem? – A common internationally accepted definition is

needed• Provides a base for action and debate • Allows distinction between violence, gang activity, etc…

and war

Nature of War • Violence – All war contains violence, but not all violence is

considered warfare • Form of organized human violence

– For political Gain » Usually a means to an end

• Social and Political Behavior – Form of Politics• Reflects culture and society of state

– Political nature of war is changing because of globalization » Globalization is changing culture and society

Continue

Continue

Continue • Historical Change – War is a major force in creating change• Want of Change = Catalyst for War• War = Tool to create change

– Political in Nature • War = Pursuit of political goals

Revolution in Military Affairs • Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA)– Those who possess the greatest technology and

doctrine will be victors in war • Change the study of warfare • RMA as a field of study still developing and debated

– Adoption• States will have to adopt modern technologies and tactics to

be competitive in warfare – Only a few states have had an RMA

– Proponents• Change in speed, precision, and selective destruction of war

will create change in military/political affairs • Limit the casualties and destruction of war

– Smart Weapons » RMA still violent and creates large scale civilian casualties

and human suffering

Continue

Post-Modern War

Continue

New War

Continue • Identity – Globalization creates pressures on identity • Break down of traditional groups based on classes and

ideologies • Creates greater emphasis on identity and culture

– Cause of most modern wars

• Gender and Age– Feminization of War• Women playing greater role in combat

– Child Soldiers • Children forced into military roles • Fight in ¾ of current wars

Continue • Post-Westphalian War

– Westphalian War• Followed statism and norms

– Conducted between states – Well trained armies, peace treaties, neutrality laws, etc…

– Post-Westphalian War• Fought by militias, paramilitaries, warlords, criminal gangs, private

security firms, and tribal groupings• Norms and rules of war are neglected

• Poverty and Underdevelopment – Causes of most New Wars

• Peace correlates to Security • Less economic security = less peace

– Unemployment due to decentralized economies » Recruits seek incomes

– Greater willingness and need to ensure economic stability • Globalization creates both economic stability and instability • Terrorism and Intervention are both consequences of instability